Trail Runner Rachel Entrekin Questions Necessity of Speedwork — image accompanying Canadian Running's report. Image accompanying Canadian Running’s report; reduced and presented for news commentary with the attributed report. View the complete source report.
Rachel Entrekin, after placing second at UTMB, questioned the necessity of speedwork for trail racing. She believes volume and hill running can be more effective.
Entrekin's approach, supported by sports science journalist Alex Hutchinson, emphasizes the benefits of hill running. Hutchinson noted that hills can provide similar benefits to speed workouts. Read more trail coverage.
Entrekin's method focuses on building an aerobic engine through volume and hill running, rather than speedwork. She suggests runners prioritize what they feel is most important for their performance. Related: Amazfit Cheetah 2 Ultra: Premium Trail Running Watch.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Canadian Running. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.
Reader questions
Questions about this report
What should runners know about Trail Runner Rachel Entrekin Questions Necessity of Speedwork?
Entrekin suggests volume and hill running may replace speedwork for ultra-trail success. Rachel Entrekin, after placing second at UTMB, questioned the necessity of speedwork for trail racing. She believes volume and hill running can be more effective.
When did Runner World publish this trail brief?
Runner World published this brief on October 7, 2026. The underlying Canadian Running report was dated October 7, 2026.
Where can readers find the complete original report?
This summary is based on reporting from Canadian Running. The attributed source link in the article leads to the publisher’s complete report.
THE WEEKLY BRIEFING
Start the week a step ahead.
A concise edit of the running stories worth knowing, sent every Monday.
